ABBA Album: “Voulez-Vous [Remaster]”

I'm no ABBA fan -as you can tell by my other reviews, I'm a big Depeche Mode fan-, but I know a good record when I listen to it. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my parents brought this back from Europe in 1981 and I would listen to it every sunday or so, but this record kicks major butt, and I love the remasterized version. These guys could do anything musically and turn it into brilliant pop tunes. I still don't know the reason ABBA is such an underestimated band amongst a lot of so-called-music-lovers. Voulez-Vous features rock (Does Your Mother Know?), disco done righty-right (title track), beautiful ballads (Chiquitita and Angeleyes) and even brilliant lyrics by today's pop standards. Please pay attention to the brutal production gimmicks of this think, guys. It will blow you away if you truly know what music is about. You will dance, you will sed a tear, and you will even sing along, which is something modern pop tracks don't allow to. This is too brilliant to be true.

Being primarily a lover/collector of heavy metal, hard and progressive rock music, how can I explain why I still have a soft spot for this Swedish music machine. First of all I can say that ABBA was a big part of the music I grew up on. I especially remember being fascinated by the constant presence of the song 'Chiquitita' (among others) pouring out of the radio as well as from stereo and music shop speakers in the late 70's/early 80's. As a 12-year old kid, I amassed most of their albums on cassette before discovering more serious media such as vinyl and eventually CD's. Now when I listen to their output on CD with a more mature mind it has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I would say their most mature, consistent and standout album would be 'Voulez-Vous'. From the opening reverbed vocal onslaught on `As Good As New' to the powerful controlled screams on `Lovers (live a little longer)' it does not disappoint. Agnetha's and Anni-Frid's stirring and exquisite vocal harmonies are at their finest. After a typical listen to this album, every one of the tunes on this recording reverberates in my head constantly. Although the songs that went on to be hits (`Chiquitita', `Angel Eyes', `Does Your Mother Know') are top-notch, the remaining tracks such as `If It Wasn't For The Nights, `Lovers...', `The King Has Lost His Crown' etc. are just as good if not better. Without going into in-depth analysis of each song, I would say that IMHO, every single song on this album is memorable and extremely catchy. Whether you consider Voulez-Vous as influenced mainly by disco, funk, or whatever, it doesn't matter. Even though it is a bit dancey, the bottom line is that it's just plain brilliant music!. (interestingly enough I actually consider many 'disco' songs of that era to be of much higher musical quality than a lot the latest rock/pop crap being 'manufactured' today). The bonus tracks, `Gimme Gimme Gimme', `Summer Night City' and `Lovelight' are an especially nice addition to the remastered version (the first two I remember hearing on a long gone cassette copy of `Greatest Hits Vol.2' I had back in the day). If you dig ABBA for whatever reason (don't be ashamed to admit it!) you will not be disappointed by this album, especially the remastered version.

I've been an ABBA fan since 1980 when they released their spanish LP titled "Gracias por la Musica". My mom had purchased that LP for herself but because the songs were fabulous, I took sole possession of it. The girls sang so beautifully in spanish that for 2 years I thought ABBA was a latin group. Fast forward 2 years later and I saw this album up on a department store glass showcase. A couple of violent tugs at my mom's coat and the record was mine.

Many have classified ABBA as pure disco but this is the closest they ever got to that particular music genre. Their other albums were mostly pop with maybe a few disco flavoured tunes thrown in. Whether you're a fan of disco or not, VOULEZ-VOUS is music to the ears. The songs offered are all catchy with exquisite vocals and tight intricate harmonies. Agnetha and Frida never sounded better than on this CD. The contrast between their voices is clearly evident in this album even more so than their other records.

Frida's sultry and sexy lower register is at it's vocal best in "The King Has Lost His Crown" and "Lovers(Live a Little Longer)". Agnetha's voice is at its most stunning in "As Good as New". Her high pitched belt is energetic, and lively. Not many singers can belt out those high notes but Agnetha makes it sound easy. Her vocal work in "Chiquitita" is also outstanding. She starts off softly but really digs in to the chorus and Frida adds her trademark vocals into the harmony. One of my favourite songs on this album is the appealing "If it Wasn't for the Nights". The song itself is completely over the top in every conceivable way but it's irresistable nontheless. This song is definitely one of the albums highlights and showcases the raw talent of both female singers. Although they're both singing in unison for the most part during the verse, we still get to hear the delightful contrast of their voices. Frida's Mezzo soprano is predominant during the sections "Keeping me so busy/All the day through/They're the things that keep me from thinking of you"..etc while Agnetha impresses and is predominant during "Ohhh baby I miss you so/I know I'm never gonna make it...." and during the chorus. This song is outstanding and should have been released as a single. It may have been a little too long for radio play but that could have been easily remedied by skillful editing.

VOULEZ-VOUS (the album) did good business internationally. It reached #4 on the Album charts here in Canada, it reached #1 in the UK and made the Top 20 in the US.

The song "Summer Night City" was originally intended for the album but was left out. It is included here as a bonus track. I guess they didn't think the song was good enough. ABBA would make this a habit as "Lovelight" (also included in this edition as a bonus track) and "Dream World" (not included) were also recorded but kept off the album (and some wonderful songs would be archived including the now mythic-among-fans "Just Like That" which can be heard on YOUTUBE BTW in it's various versions). However they still released "Summer Night City" as a single in 1978 (before the album was released) and it peaked in the Top 5 (UK) and the Top 40 (Canada). It was never released as a single in the US. The singles released from the album also did well. In the UK- "Voulez-Vous", "Angeleyes", Chiquitita", "Does Your Mother Know" and "I have a Dream" all reached the Top 5. Another single released that year, "Gimme Gimme Gimme" peaked at #3- however that single was not included in the original album.

In North America, the songs did fairly well also, "Does Your Mother Know" reached #8 in Canada and #19 in the US. "Chiquitita" reached #17 in Canada and #29 in the US. "Angeleyes" (CAN #39, US #64) & "Voulez-Vous" (CAN #42, US #80) were both minor hits.

VOULEZ-VOUS is one of ABBA's most energetic albums. The songs are fun and melodic but in my opinion, one of the greatest assets to this recording is the wonderful vocals by the girls. ABBA fans may cite other albums such as "Super Trouper", "Arrival" or "The Visitors" as their most accomplished but no other album really showcases the beauty and brilliance of their vocals like this one. It doesn't hurt that the songs they are singing are fantastic.

Beginning to move beyond dance music, yet with great offerings in that genre, this album has a precursor or two to marvelous things to come. Dance fans will love "Angeleyes," while those who enjoy the rich pop tradition of Abba will not be disappointed. The tongue-in-cheek "Does Your Mother Know" is a comic romp with a classic Andersson/Ulvaeus hook. The anthemic "Chiquitita" is a timeless classic with unlimited potential to stir the heart, as is the closer, "Kisses of Fire." A worthy addition to any pop collection.

By the time Voulez-Vous was released in 1979, the disco era was in full swing, the mirror ball still glittering ablaze. Hence many of the tracks are suitable for the old platforms and flared trousers. However, the usual Agnetha ballads are there, and great ones too. Unfortunately, Bjorn and Agnetha announced their divorce before the album's completion, although their professional relationship would continue as before.

After a quick strings, a funky disco beat and synths kick in to intro "As Good As New," which describes the spirit ABBA has since the merely great Album. A standout track.

The title track, another candidate for Studio 54, has as backing musicians members of the group Foxy, the pulsing bass and burst of horns in tune with the disco era. That's followed by Frida's vocal on the inspirational ballad "I Have A Dream," on that dream or fantasy that make life worth living.

Put on your dancing shoes for the next four songs. "Angeleyes," about a louse who likes to hypnotize young girls with those eyes, is sung from the POV of a former victim. "The King Has Lost His Crown," when he loses his new girl, so the song goes in this Frida-lead song.

I've always liked the catchiness of this tune, but ever since seeing Johnny English, hearing this elicits a snicker out of me. The single "Does Your Mother Know", sung by Bjorn, with its leading bass keyboards and rock guitar, on a young lady who may be out having a good time without her mother's knowledge. It's also the track Rowan Atkinson's character is doing a karaoke to in an embarrassing bathroom sequence, funny faces and all, played to the audience at the coronation scene in the movie. My favourite track here.

"If It Wasn't For The Nights" is just asking to be included on a Pure Disco or Best of Disco compilation with the strings and drums, and the theme of the nights being an escape after an unrewarding day, much like Tony Manero of Sat. Night Fever.

"Chiquitita" is one of Agnetha's better ballads, and was the song they did at the UNICEF benefit concert less than a week before the divorce announcement of Bjorn and Agnetha. The engaging measured rhythm in the chorus reminds me a bit of the Beatles' "Don't Pass Me By." The B-side, "Lovelight," is more upbeat.

Frida announces the medical claim that "Lovers (Live A Little Longer)," which gives lovers a chance to live twice in this swinging disco number. That's followed by the high energy "Kisses Of Fire."

The bouncy Bee-Gees' sounding "Summer Night City" was another song that didn't make it on the original release, odd, as it was a Top Ten hit in many countries. And if anything fits disco, it's yet another song originally left off Voulez-Vous. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" with its piercing flute sound, bass, and string-synths is perfect for those dancing shoes and poofed up Afros, as it was also included on the Pure Disco 2 compilation. It's what "Money Money Money" would be dressed up in disco instrumentation.

A marked improvement over The Album, and given the near year it took for the album, where for a while, every other song idea was rejected, Voulez-Vous stands out as one of ABBA's best albums, and I detect a more concentrated effort at perfection, and it shows.